Figure skaters capture Russia’s first gold medal

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Russian President Vladimir Putin, center back, poses for a photograph with the Russian team after they placed first in the team figure skating competition at the Iceberg Skating Palace during the 2014 Winter Olympics, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2014, in Sochi, Russia.

He saw it Sunday night inside the Iceberg at Sochi's Olympic Park from a countrywoman half his age. And he is certain Russia's figure skating future is secure in the skates of Julia Lipnitskaia.

"She is a genius," Plushenko said.

Along with eight teammates, the 31-year-old veteran and 15-year-old Olympic rookie won the new event of team figure skating and lifted the host nation to its first gold medal of the Sochi Olympics. Together, they put Russia back atop a sport it once dominated.

"My main motivation today," Lipnitskaia said, "was not to let the team down."

There was no chance of that in an arena packed with her exulting countrymen, including President Vladimir Putin. The Russians skated away from Canada and the United States to win the gold before the final free dance even started.

In no discipline did Russia finish worse than third, compiling 75 points to Canada's 65 that won silver and the 60 that gave bronze to the Americans.

It was a rout built on the experience of Plushenko, the consummate entertainer who now has two golds and two silvers -- a record for modern-era figure skaters.

It was victory capped by the freshness of Lipnitskaia, who donned a Russia baseball cap when she was done with her sublime tour of the ice, sat with her triumphant teammates and grinned like the school kid she is.

"I was calm," Lipnitskaia said, adding it was her coaches, parents and teammates who were nervous. "I'm happy with my marks, the scores overall, for the team and for all of Russia. I am so pleased all the country could help me."